“May the weapons be silenced”: Pope Francis in Renewed Appeal for Peace in Sudan

Vatican, 03 June, 2024 / 8:46 PM

Pope Francis has renewed his appeal for peace in Sudan, calling on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to lay down their weapons and stop fighting. 

The Holy Father who was speaking after the Angelus on Sunday, June 2 prayed for peace in Sudan and called on the international community to help bring peace in the northeastern African nation.

“I invite you to pray for Sudan, where the war that has been going on for over a year still has not found a peaceful solution,” Pope Francis said about the war in Sudan that broke out on 15 April 2023.

He said, “May the weapons be silenced and, with the commitment of the local authorities and the international community, help be brought to the population and the many displaced people.”

“May the Sudanese refugees find welcome and protection in neighboring countries,” the Holy Father added.

The conflict, which started in Sudan’s capital city, Khartoum, and became a full-fledged civil war in the entire Northeastern African nation has reportedly killed at least 14,700 people and injured almost 30,000 more. The number of people displaced by conflict since the war broke out inside and outside of Sudan has reached 8.2 million.

The conflict, which started in Sudan’s capital city, Khartoum, and became a full-fledged civil war in the entire Northeastern African nation has reportedly killed at least 14,700 people and injured almost 30,000 more. The number of people displaced by conflict since the war broke out inside and outside of Sudan has reached 8.2 million.

In a May 28 interview with ACI Africa, Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku of Sudan’s El Obeid Diocese said the warring parties in the conflict are “not yet ready for peace.” 

“I believe that our leaders are not ready for peace. Fighting and conflict have the upper hand as we hear them say ‘unless we defeat the other group we won’t put down weapons’,” Bishop Trille said.

The Sudanese Catholic Bishop said that opposing parties in the Sudanese conflict have been unable to agree with each other as they have set unimaginable conditions for each other.